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"I had at least seven lipstick stains on my face that I didn't wipe away until I reached home at 2.30am. I didn't wipe (them) away because I promised (those who kissed me) that I wouldn't.

"Rui En was the one who said to me, 'If you really win, I'll kiss you, but you don't wipe away the lipstick mark'," the 42-year-old told The New Paper with a giggle in a phone interview yesterday.

Chew still had the lipstick marks on his face as he co-hosted the hour-long Post Show Party.

Actor-host Mark told Chew before the announcement that if the latter really did win, he would run over and give him a hug.

But he added a split-second peck on Chew's lips too - a first time for both, said Chew.

Chew added: "That was a brotherly kiss and to me there was nothing wrong. Mark and I are very close and he's my favourite presenter in Singapore."

The duo have been co-hosting a radio show on Love 97.2 FM for almost two years, alongside DJs Marcus Chin and Chen Biyu.

THANKFUL

Besides winning the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste award for the sixth time, which he last won in 2014, Chew and Rui En were conferred with the Toggle Most Beloved Celebrity BFF Award at the Post Show Party. (See other report.)

The award was determined by public voting, as were the popular artistes categories.

Chew said: "I'm very thankful for my listeners who have always been supporting me. Thanking them on stage was the least I could do.

"I had people coming up to me telling me that they had made 50 or even 100 calls for me. One of them even showed me their phone bill. I was so touched that they would go to such an extent.

"(Getting into) the Top 10 (is a form of) recognition from the audience, so to me it's an achievement and a moment of glory."

Rui En was the one who said to me, 'If you really win, I'll kiss you, but you don't wipe away the lipstick mark'.

Chew, Rui En are 'siblings forever'

Dennis Chew and Rui En first bonded while filming the Channel 8 drama The Dream Makers three years ago.

He played her older brother and it was their first collaboration.

They reprised their roles for the second season, which aired last December.

Chew told TNP: "Back when Rui En was a singer, I hosted a few of her autograph sessions, but I never interacted with her until we met on the set of The Dream Makers.

"Our chemistry with each other is very good. We really text each other every day. We say things like 'I love you'."

After receiving the Toggle Most Beloved Celebrity BFF award at the Post Show Party, he declared that they are more than just friends.

He said with a laugh: "(Actress) Chen Liping is her 'best friend forever', but I feel like I'm her 'sibling forever'."

He had to accept the trophy alone, as Rui En, 35, was battling a bout of gastric flu.

Chew said: "She went home to rest (after Show 2 ended) and couldn't collect the award with me."

It is safe to say they are each other's pillar of support.

Rui En - who calls Chew "kor" (Cantonese for elder brother) in real life - was seen holding Chew's hand to calm his nerves during the Top 10 Most Popular Artiste Male category.

BETTER

When asked how Rui En has been, especially after her on-stage apology during Show 1 over her headline-making car accident, he said: "I guess she's feeling better now. This is just a stage of life. We have to experience different things to grow. I just hope she will be happy.

"In real life, Rui En is a very simple person, but people think she is very complicated. She just loves acting.

"Ever since working with her on The Dream Makers, I just feel the need to protect her."

Chew got a little worked up over Show 2 co-host Pornsak's "Do you know who I am?" joke, which was a jibe at Rui En's now-infamous quote.

Chew said in a sombre tone: "Seriously, to me it was not funny.

"But Pornsak is like a kid the way he hosts programmes, so I don't think Rui En will blame him."